"Unfortunately this is the 3rd time I got married" - When Bjorn Borg spilled his wisdom about the importance of finding a 'great woman'

Bjorn Borg once opened up about his turbulent married life, admitting that it took him multiple attempts to finally find stability. He acknowledged that, as a man, he needed a partner but regretted the difficult path it took to get there, saying it shouldn’t have been so complicated.

Borg had an outstanding career, cementing himself as one of the greatest players of his generation, if not the best. He won a total of 66 titles, including 11 Grand Slams, before abruptly retiring at just 25. However, life after tennis wasn’t smooth for him, as he faced business failures, personal struggles, and even rumors of drug use and depression.

The Swede first tied the knot with former Romanian tennis pro Mariana Simionescu in 1980, but their marriage ended in divorce four years later. His second marriage, to Italian singer Loredana Bertè, was turbulent and ended in 1993. However, he eventually found lasting love with Patricia Ostfeldt, with whom he shares a son, Leo, who has followed in his footsteps and taken up the sport.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2007, Bjorn Borg said:

"The intensity is not the problem. One thing is, as a man, you have to find a great woman. Unfortunately, this is the third time I got married. That is nothing you aim for. Hopefully, you want to stay with the same woman. But if you are not peaceful with yourself, marriage is not going to work."

Borg struggled to cope with his abrupt retirement, something his ex-wife, Simionescu, later reflected on in her remarks.

"Bjorn Borg didn't know what to do... It was so sad" - Ex-wife Mariana Simionescu

Bjorn Borg pictured at the 2024 Laver Cup | Image Source: Getty

Bjorn Borg retired from tennis at just 26, with his final match being the 1981 US Open final against his arch-rival John McEnroe. After the loss, he stormed off the stadium without attending the ceremony or press conference and immediately took a flight. A decade later, he attempted a comeback at the Monte Carlo Open, but it ended in disappointment.

Mariana Simionescu, Borg’s wife at the time, revealed in an interview with The New York Times that he was completely lost after retiring. She said he often spent his days watching TV, going out with friends, or simply sitting in deep thought, unsure of what to do with his life.

"He didn't know what to do; he didn't know his place. It was so sad. Bjorn would watch TV, then go out with the night people. He wanted to have another life, but he'd say, 'What am I going to do now?'" she said.

The Swede fully reconnected with the sport in 2017 when he took on the role of Team Europe’s captain at the Laver Cup. He worked alongside McEnroe, who led Team World, and both wrapped up their stints in 2024.